Officials at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are investigating after several cadets and midshipmen were seen flashing a hand sign sometimes associated with ‘white power’ at Saturday’s Army-Navy football game.
Students at both service academies were captured on camera appearing to flash the controversial “OK” hand symbol during a pregame sideline report from journalist Rece Davis on an ESPN broadcast.
According to the Daily Mail, the hand symbol, which was once innocuous and typically meant ‘OK’, was initially associated with ‘white power’ as an online joke, but has since been adopted by fringe racist figures and groups.
Military officials are now investigating to see what the intention of the cadets and midshipmen may have been in flashing the hand sign on camera.
“We’re looking into it,’ Lt. Col. Chris Ophardt, a West Point spokesman, told the Wall Street Journal. ‘I don’t know what their intention is.”
“We are aware and will be looking into it,” said Annapolis spokeswoman Cmdr. Alana Garas said as well.
At least two cadets and one midshipman were seen making the gesture.
— Spottswoode (@YonderLooky) December 14, 2019
